The Ivy
de Garde Brewing

Bottled August, 2019 - consumed 8/19/2022 - poured from a capped-and-corked 750mL bottle into a Duralex tumbler.

Clear orange peel liquid with an active set of loose soapy foam that recedes to nothing in short order. No lacing, though a few bubbles continue to disturb the surface for quite some time.

Tangerine, white wine, and low but complex barnyard funk in the nose. Some tart citrus notes with a hint of mellow white vinegar.

Woodsy, straw stuffed, limoncello kissed palate entry. Grassy, earthy hop notes add mild bitterness. White tea-like astringency, minerality, and oak again in the bone dry puckering finish. Moderate sourness and funk throughout. Refined yet rustic. Aspirin and hints of ginseng and wildflowers in the aftertaste.

Biting vaguely carbonated mouth-feel.

Quite oak forward, though the micro-organisms have had time to meld themselves into something strange and complex three years out from bottling...

 

4/20 bottling

Pours nearly still in the glass with only a fine effervescence. Light orange-amber. Aromas are lemon, barnyard funk, and a lacto acidity. Flavors have more of that bretty crushed aspirin note, alongside some herbal bitterness from the hops. Could benefit from more carbonation -- I'd like this to be like a champagne

76/100

A 1 pint 9.4 fl. oz. corked and capped bottle, with no clear bottled on or best before date. Poured into an Alvinne teku glass.

Appearance: A very slightly hazy golden orange colour with a big two finger white head that had good retention and left nice lacing.

Aroma: Lightly tart, funky, musty, damp wood, citrus, lemon zest, lime, wet straw.

Taste: Sour, lightly tart, funky, hay, oak, grapefruit, honey, stone fruit, peach, lime, citrus peel, light bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light bodied with moderate carbonation.

Overall: Balanced and enjoyable with good aroma and flavours.

 

 

 

 

First from DG! Mostly opaque bronze with a finger of white foam. Smell more airy with grass, barnyard funk, lighter red wine, wood, moss, and citrus zest. Taste is doesn't commit to any category, slightly funky, slightly vinous, slightly wild, slightly woody, and slightly grassy/citrusy. All together well balanced, flavorful and complex, but no backing to help anchor it all. Feel is dryer, airy, crisp for style, and slightly vinous. Good first foray

L: Blonde ale flavor.
S: Strong farm notes.
T: Strong farm ale notes with a crisp, refreshing citrus finish.
F: Light orangy flavor.
O: A simple, enjoyable citrus beer.

Bottle at share. Pale golden pour, light airy head. Fruity, sweet, musty. Taste and aroma recall grapes, dry, hint of tart. Pale golden, soft bubbly head.